Holness urges citizens to evaluate threats, evacuate if necessary
Published:Tuesday | July 2, 2024 | 12:07 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
With Hurricane Beryl approaching the island, Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged Jamaicans not to panic but to treat it seriously and prepare strategically.
Addressing a press briefing on Monday, Holness advised citizens to start gathering essential emergency supplies such as drinking water and canned food, sufficient for at least three days.
He also recommended that Jamaicans prepare candles, batteries, and alternative lighting sources and store enough water for domestic use, anticipating potential disruptions to electricity and water services.
“You have enough time, enough notice to take the necessary precautions,” he added.
Additionally, Holness mentioned that the Government was coordinating with commercial trade operators to prepare for the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, ensuring adequate availability of food and water supplies.
He emphasised that the Government and its agencies are working tirelessly to prepare thoroughly and offer assistance to citizens as the hurricane is expected to have a considerable impact on the southern part of the island.
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES
Yet, the prime minister acknowledged potential challenges in the speed of evacuations and emergency health service responses.
“Both the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) and the [Jamaica] Fire Brigade have advised that at some point in time, their services will not be available,” he said.
As such, he urged citizens to evaluate threats to their immediate environment and to make informed choices regarding evacuation when necessary.
“Our emergency services would not be able to operate in the heights of the hurricane, and even just before, and there may even be a delay after, so we encourage you [to] secure yourself by moving to higher ground, moving to safer ground, and making arrangements with your family members to find a safer place to be,” he added, speaking specifically to individuals who reside in low-lying areas.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica placed the island under hurricane watch on Monday as Hurricane Beryl entered the Eastern Caribbean. It further noted that hurricane conditions are possible across Jamaica by Wednesday.
The system, which has so far climbed as high as Category 5 on the 5-point scale, has been named the strongest June hurricane on record, travelling as fast as 160 miles per hour (mph) late Monday.
DRAIN-CLEANING ONGOING
E.G. Hunter, CEO of the National Works Agency (NWA), said that drain-cleaning operations in each of the island’s 63 constituencies began in May and are still ongoing. Each constituency was allocated $1 million.
Hunter said apart from that programme, additional sites have been added to the list for drainage cleaning, following the agency’s assessment. These areas include Wickie Wackie in St Andrew; the North and South gullies in St James; Danvers Pen in St Thomas; Marcus Garvey Drive, Seaview Gardens, and other low-lying areas in Kingston and Portmore; and the Sandy Gully within the vicinity of Spanish Town Road and Washington Boulevard, where work began over the weekend.
“We’re realistic, [and so] the intensity of the rains that are anticipated will overwhelm the existing capacity of the drains in those areas, so some flooding will be expected, and so we advise the public to adhere to the warnings being given,” he said.
As of Monday afternoon, the NWA has activated on its emergency operation centre a satellite of the National Emergency Operation Centre. From there, its staff will mobilise teams and respond to reports of flooding and road blockages.